Fantasy league injuries w/Stephania Bell

Welcome to The Show! On Tuesday morning, fantasy injury expert Stephania Bell will stop by to discuss all things injury related. If you have a question on any athletes' sprains, breaks, tears, any injury related question, ask Stephania!

Send your questions now and join Bell in The Show on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET!

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Stephania Bell

(11:05 AM)

Hi everyone in Sports Nation: Big, big day as we elect a new president. But after you vote, you may need to hit the fantasy waiver wires. Injurie continue to wreak havoc, especially onthe QBs. Let's get to your questions...

Matt (San Diego)

Obligatory Big Ben update please. Thanks

Stephania Bell

(11:08 AM)

Matt: Of course everyone wants to know what is going on with Ben...but we don't know much yet. Michelle Tafoya reported from the sideline that Ben said it felt like his shoulder "popped out" and that he couldn't lift his arm overhead. He has the history of the AC sprain, but this description sounds a little different. The "popped out" feeling usually means the shoulder subluxes or slips slightly out of place without dislocating, which can still mean a lot of pain. The question will be whether he misses time - still don't know. I have been saying forever that without better protection he was headed for this. Will be interesting to see...we should know more within 2 days.

Rich (Arizona)

What is the deal with Felix Jones? He was dropped in my league, along with McFadden. I am wondering if it would worthwhile to pick either of them up looking forward to the end of season and playoffs. My running back core is pretty weak.

Stephania Bell

(11:11 AM)

Rich: I think Felix Jones is perhaps a good pickup or buy low. He was originally slated to miss about 4 weeks, which would put him back around the time of Romo (after this week's bye). There hasn't been a lot of news out about him, but I presume he is doing the necessary things in rehab to get there. I worry more about McFadden b/c of the two turf toes. Not a good situation with one toe, much worse with two. I hope McFadden will return to the field, but he may struggle with this throughout the remainder of the season.

Tim (Latrobe, PA)

Think SJax gets the full load this week? Thanks in advance.

Stephania Bell

(11:14 AM)

Tim: Very interesting. I don't think Haslett was too happy with him after he posted on his website Saturday that he was playing so "be ready" ...and then he failed to be effective. He clearly could not perform at full strength. I think overall they have downplayed this injury and it's clearly more problematic than originally projected. Haslett made it very clear that if SJax does not at least go full bore in practice at least one day this week, he will NOT play Sunday. So, while we don't know now, this will not be a gtd this week. We will know by late in the week how it's shaping up.

David (Winston Salem, NC)

How about Addai? Is his leg better? How about that injured O-line of his? Thank you.

Stephania Bell

(11:16 AM)

David: My source in Indy tells me that Addai came out of this week's game feeling well. So expect that he may see an increase in his workload this week. Their o-line overall getting healthier, it's their corners that are now taking the injury hit.

Jeremy (Johnson City, TN)

Is Ryan Torain worth a start this week with the RB problems in Denver?

Stephania Bell

(11:18 AM)

Jeremy: I think he could be a decent No. 2. A definite No. 3. The problem is just that he has so little experience and SHanahan wants to work him in slowly - but now with Pittman and Hall on IR - and Young still not clearly healthy with the groin injury - Torain will likely get more than his share of carries. So in other words, I think he's going to grow up fast.

Matt (South Pole Antartica)

Stephania Bell

(11:21 AM)

Matt: Really? South Pole? OK - Bush is "rehabbing" which means we don't get much info. But I expect him to be on track to return when the Saints play their Monday night game (Week 12 I believe). Look for more updates as he's able to begin running and doing side work in practice.

Alex (Chicago, IL)

What's up with Tony Scheffler? He has been out for a little while...any updates for him for this week and the rest of the season?

Stephania Bell

(11:23 AM)

Alex: His groin injury appeared a little more serious when it happened yet Shanahan made it seem that he'd be back for the New England Monday night game. I thought that seemed a little quick, and even this week he was still listed as questionable, still limited in practice. Word was that there was a possibility he could go last week, meaning he's close. I think you could see him this week, if not this one, then next.

Joe (New York)

The RB situation is Tampa already seemed a little murky with Dunn injured and Graham playing FB, then getting injured. What do you anticipate after the bye? And is Graham seriously injured?

Stephania Bell

(11:25 AM)

Joe: Not much in the way of specifics. I think the Buccs were taking the full timeline (including bye) into consideration when they decided not to have Dunn travel with the team. Sounds like they're hopeful he returns after the bye. All we know about Graham so far is that Gruden said he was "worried" about it. Still waiting on details.

tom (austin, tx)

What's the word w/ LT? Is he good to go after his bye week? How is the turf toe?

Stephania Bell

(11:27 AM)

Tom: Bye week had to be a welcome relief for LT. The good news is that you saw some trademark LT in the London game and it was clear that his toe was feeling better, which LT confirmed. This could be the beginning of an improved second half for LT (assuming he gets a little help out in front of him).

Chad (VA)

How many weeks do you expect Schaub to be out with his injuries?

Stephania Bell

(11:30 AM)

Chad: The reports suggesting Schaub will miss a month are probably fairly accurate. There is always the question as to how each individual heals, etc, but for a QB with a sprained MCL, it's usually 2-3 missed games (which would put him back at 4) and he usually has to wear a brace afterward. It's not as bad as when a running back has the injury, but the QB still has to avoid the rush (especially in Houston) and be able to step confidently on the leg to throw. So 4 weeks as an initial projection seems fair.

Dave (GA)

Whats up with Mcgahee...is he healthy or just not favored in Baltimore? THANKS!

Stephania Bell

(11:33 AM)

Dave: I think McGahee has been banged up the entire year. Nothing out of Baltimore suggested the ankle was anything serious, so it was a BIG surprise that he did not play. The story afterward was that Baltimore could have gone to him if they needed to, but as long as the other RBs were carrying the load, they didn't feel they needed to psuh it. Baltimore is clearly a team playing the hot hand. Whoever is in and gets hot, they go with. I expect it is a mix of whoever the top 2 are that week - lately Rice has been more of a factor. Very tough to predict.

Rob (Chicago, IL)

What's going on with Sammy Morris? Is he expected back next week? I know New England is infamous for not disclosing injury reports.

Stephania Bell

(11:35 AM)

Rob: I think you basically answered your own question. I wondered aloud this weekend why they didn't rule Morris out Friday when he didn't practice all week, it was clear he wasn't going to play, and then they downgraded him to OUT on Saturday. I think he's probably out another week, but don't expect them to confirm that before gametime.

Casey (NY)

Hey Stephania, I'm in a TE jam. Heath Miller? Is it serious? If so, Shockey is on the wire, but I haven't heard any news on him in a while. Any help would be appreciated. C

Stephania Bell

(11:37 AM)

Casey: Well, early reports are that x-rays on Miller were negative, but as we know, they do not tell the whole picture. The fact that he could not play at all later in the game last night definitely makes it appear a bit more serious. The team has not issued any other specifics yet though. Shockey was limited in London since he's still recovering from the surgery. BUt the bye came at a good time and the team hopes to have him back in a bigger capacity this week.

Jon (MI)

Stephania, what exactly is Schaub's injury to his MCL? I've heard it classified as a sprain, but most articles I have read have said the ligament is torn. Which one is it, and are the prognoses different?

Stephania Bell

(11:43 AM)

Jon: Great question -and I'm trying to get a more definitive answer, but it may be a semantics issue. Technically, any injury to a ligament is a sprain, whether it's microtearing (not really visible on imaging) to visible partial tearing vs a complete tear. The MCL is one of those ligaments that rarely is operated on, even when it fully tears, as the hope is that by immobilizing it for a bit, the fibers will scar down and heal up. Simply put, the more extensive the tearing, the longer to fully heal. If Schaub has a moderate to complete tear, the time he will be immobilized is a bit longer than if there was only microtrauma. The problem is that while the knee is being relatively immobilized to allow healing, it can get stiff as other tissues tighten up. Then it takes a while to get that mobility back. The process is fluid.

John, Chicago

What are your expections about Orton's return?

Stephania Bell

(11:45 AM)

John: Well, it looks like he escaped serious injury, although it is still no fun healing from a high ankle sprain - but it sounds as if the true structural damage was minimal. So the early projection of him missing about a month seems reasonable.

James (FL)

When is Matt Jones' Suspension going to kick in? I need some depth at QB and I might drop him.

Stephania Bell

(11:48 AM)

James; You're asking a question that a lot of people want to know the answer to, especially b/c he has been performing so well this season. Unfortunately we still don't know as official word has not come out yet as to when it will kick in.

Chris (Orlando)

I'm getting into a bit of trouble with these QB's. I traded Rivers for AP last week, and had Schaub, Culter, Romo. When Romo comes back will his injury be healed enough to put up good numbers since more than ever I need him now?

Stephania Bell

(11:50 AM)

Chris: I think he should be good from the injury perspective. The fact that he did not play almost certainly helped him heal normally. The only issue is that sometimes the finger is a little stiff after coming out of the cast. As long as he gets his range of motion and strength back quickly (and I don't see why he won't), he should be fine, maybe a little rusty for not having played in a month, but from the injury perspective, he's not at risk for further injury and should be able to throw effectively when he returns.

Drew, Connecticut

Willie parker got the majority of the carries this weekend and seemed to be fine, do you think he will be 100% by this weekend

Stephania Bell

(11:51 AM)

Drew: I think he showed that he is back and if anything, helped his own confidence by getting back in the game. I would not be surprised if they kept Moore in the mix, at least for the time being, but Parker should play and play well from here on out.

David (LA, CA)

What was up with Lynch? Did he just have the flu (and will be back to 100% next week) or was there something more?

Stephania Bell

(11:54 AM)

David: All I've heard officially is that he had flu-like symptoms, he went to the locker room and then returned. So as of now, I am assuming he's fine.

Matt (PA)

What can we expect now from Colston after his bye?

Stephania Bell

(11:57 AM)

Matt: Are you just leaning on the Enter button? I hear you. I hear you. I think Colston started to shake the rust in London and played better than he had. His thumb is really not the issue, it's just getting back into the speed of the game after being absent for so long. I think he picks it up after the bye and gets more valuable. Lance Moore though has shown that he is a factor so I think Brees will continue to spread it around, but COlston will still always be a big play threat.

Larry - Chicago

Witten's injury to his ribs, is that something he can play through effectively? Or would Dallas Clark be a good target in a trade involving Witten?

Stephania Bell

(11:59 AM)

Larry: I think the bye week really helps him. He may not be totally pain-free by the following week, but you saw how Westbrook did after roughly the same amount of time - very well. I think that time will help Witten, and knowing how tough he already is, I think he'll be fine by Week 11.

Karl (Indiana)

Followup on Romo. They talked about his gripping the ball last night. How does that play into him being ready week 11?

Stephania Bell

(12:00 PM)

Karl: Very well - helps with strength and is what we call a "functional activity" - basically training the body for what it needs to do.

Chris (Baltimore)

Is there anything wrong with Edgerrin James, or did Arizona just decide to bench him?

Stephania Bell

(12:01 PM)

Chris: His not playing was not injury related. It was just Hightower related.

Stephania Bell

(12:02 PM)

OK everyone: Time for me to go. Thanks so much for coming to the Tuesday injury chat. I hope to have a lot more updates for you when we chat again Friday, so please come back. And I will be posting on my blog on Wednesday and Saturday. Look forward to talking to you then!!